Calibration of lamps

Abstract

In at least one embodiment, a lamp includes a controller configured to generate power control signals for a lamp is also configured to receive lamp calibration data received via one or more power terminals of the lamp. The controller is configured to process the calibration data to calibrate the lamp. In at least one embodiment, the lamp includes one or more light emitting diodes.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus comprising:
 a controller configured to generate one or more power control signals for a lamp, wherein the controller is further configured in calibration mode to receive lamp calibration data received via one or more power terminals of the lamp and to process the calibration data to calibrate the lamp within a tolerance level and in normal mode receive a phase angle modulated voltage via the one or more power terminals of the lamp to operate the lamp in accordance with the calibration data and the phase angle modulated voltage. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the calibration data comprises a phase angle modulated, alternating current voltage. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the calibration data comprises a pulse width modulated voltage. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the controller is configured for incorporation into a housing of the lamp. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the controller is configured to calibrate a lamp that comprises one or more light emitting diodes. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the controller further comprises a decoder to decode the calibration data. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the controller further includes a processor to process the calibration data and generate output data for use in causing the lamp to meet one or more predetermined specifications. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the one or more predetermined specifications comprise light output intensity. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the output data is useful for setting a reference used to adjust current to one or more lamps in the lamp. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the reference is useful to compare against a feedback value representing the current to the one or more lamps of the lamp. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the controller is further configured to pulse the lamp to send information. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the lamp is further configured to pulse the lamp to send information in response to a request from a calibration unit sending the calibration data. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the tolerance level comprises one or more members of a group consisting of: a specific value, a range of values, and a predetermined brightness level of the lamp. 
     
     
       14. A method comprising:
 receiving lamp calibration data via one or more power terminals of a lamp during a calibration mode; 
 processing the lamp calibration data to calibrate the lamp within a tolerance level during the calibration mode; receiving a phase angle modulated voltage via the one or more power terminals of the lamp during a normal mode; and 
 generating one or more power control signals for the lamp using the calibration data and the phase modulated voltage during the normal mode. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14  wherein processing the lamp calibration data comprises processing the lamp calibration data using one or more components located within the lamp. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14  wherein generating the one or more power control signals comprises generating one or more power control signals using one or more components located within the lamp. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 14  wherein:
 processing the lamp calibration data comprises processing the lamp calibration data using one or more components located within the lamp; and 
 generating the one or more power control signals comprises generating one or more power control signals using one or more components located within the lamp. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 14  wherein receiving lamp calibration data comprises receiving phase angle modulated, alternating current voltage. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 14  wherein receiving lamp calibration data comprises receiving a pulse width modulated voltage. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 14  wherein receiving lamp calibration data comprises receiving lamp calibration data with a controller disposed in a housing of the lamp. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 14  wherein processing the calibration data comprises processing the calibration data for a lamp that comprises one or more light emitting diodes. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 14  further comprising:
 decoding the calibration data using a decoder disposed in the lamp. 
 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 13  wherein generating one or more power control signals further comprises generating output data for use in causing the lamp to meet one or more predetermined specifications. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 23  wherein the one or more predetermined specifications comprise light output intensity. 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 24  wherein the output data is useful for setting a reference used to adjust current to one or more lamps in the lamp. 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 25  wherein the reference is useful to compare against a feedback value representing the current to the one or more lamps of the lamp. 
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 14  further comprising:
 pulsing light generated by the lamp to send information. 
 
     
     
       28. The method of  claim 27  further comprising:
 receiving a request from a calibration unit that sent the calibration data; 
 wherein pulsing the lamp to send information comprises pulsing the lamp to send information in response to a request from a calibration unit that sent the calibration data. 
 
     
     
       29. The method of  claim 14  wherein the tolerance level comprises one or more members of a group consisting of: a specific value, a range of values, and a predetermined brightness level of the lamp. 
     
     
       30. An apparatus comprising:
 a calibration unit configured to send calibration data to one or more power terminals of a lamp for calibrating the lamp within a tolerance level during a calibration mode of the lamp, wherein the calibration data is distinct from a phase angle modulated voltage received via the one or more power terminals of the lamp during a normal mode of the lamp. 
 
     
     
       31. The apparatus of  claim 30  further comprising:
 a controller coupled to the calibration unit and configured to generate one or more power control signals for the lamp, wherein the controller is further configured to receive lamp calibration data received via one or more power terminals of the lamp and to process the calibration data to calibrate the lamp. 
 
     
     
       32. The apparatus of  claim 31  further comprising:
 a light meter coupled to the controller and the calibration unit to receive light from the lamp and send data representing one or more properties of the light to the calibration unit. 
 
     
     
       33. The apparatus of  claim 30  wherein the tolerance level comprises one or more members of a group consisting of: a specific value, a range of values, and a predetermined brightness level of the lamp.